Browse Tactical / SWAT Articles

What is the best stance for officers in the field to work from that gives the most options in the most situations they may face while on duty? Debated and discussed often and especially during firearms training, it comes down to what they were taught and its compatibility to basic body functions under stress. Deciding what to present to students can ...

First things first, let us all recognize the difference between Sport Ground Fighting and Combat Ground Fighting, that being said we will be able to fully understand the urgency of this article on combative ground fighting. When I first heard and was introduced to ground fighting it was 1991, initially it was introduced to me as a sport and an art, ...

If you read the world news headlines it's easy to find articles about terrorist acts being committed in other countries and how the specific country's military responded. This is a common theme all around the world. Terrorist group commits act - country's selected military unit responds. Why is that? Because terrorists commit acts of violence that are, for all intents and ...

Back in 1985, when I was a not-so-young U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant, I found myself attending a grueling two week school called the “Army Air Loader” course. As I originally understood it, this course would teach me all about loading my battalion’s equipment on to an airplane for deployment somewhere overseas. To this day, I am still trying to figure out ...

I really think it’s time that we in the police community need to stop sugar coating hand to hand combat. We create all of these politically correct terms and phrases that really lead officers away from what is really going on out there on the street. What is defensive tactics? When I am attacked as a police officer I am trained ...

I had no idea it could get so hot in Maine. It has to be near 100 degrees. The sun is beating down hard on my salty back and red neck as I stare at my target. I’m rubbing my blistered finger tips together listening to the monkeys in my head. My back is sore as hell and I can feel ...

“Hurry up and wait” is one sure thing that can be counted on in almost every tactical operation. Knowing when to wait and how to best utilize that time will help secure success and, most importantly, keep team members and the innocent safe. Aside from that, there are a few things every operator would like his administration to know… (Don’t worry; ...

Many individuals can put together an article about theories and research from their respective fields of training and tactical experiences. Many can also quote statements from books that have been written from many of the so called modern day warriors in years past. However, looking at today’s modern times and current threats to society, for a law enforcement officer looking to ...

About 20 years ago everyone who marketed items for sale to law enforcement officers began calling their items "tactical." Everything from boots and key chains to holsters and uniforms became known as "tactical gear." I was confused, but I’m confused a lot. Did I have to replace every piece of equipment and uniform item that I owned and purchase new "tactical" ...

I am not a supervisor, and I don’t pretend to be able to tell you how to supervise your sniper team. However, I have the advantage of having seen sniper teams all over the country. I have had a close look at good programs and bad programs. As a result, I can tell you, with confidence, how a successful sniper team ...

I had no idea it could get so hot in Maine. It has to be near 100 degrees. The sun is beating down hard on my salty back and red neck as I stare at my target. I’m rubbing my blistered finger tips together listening to the monkeys in my head My back is sore as hell and I can feel ...

*Mindset* - No matter who you train with or how you train, take it seriously. When I train, I try to make it as real in my mind as I can. The targets are not paper. They are the bad guys. Never give up the fight. Weapons break, malfunction or just don’t work sometimes. If it happens to you, think about ...

Once Upon a Time in America: Picture yourself attending a lecture in an auditorium of a local College, where you are taking classes to complete your master’s degree. You are an off duty police officer seated in the audience listening to a presentation on community policing by a highly esteemed professor, when suddenly a heavily armed man dressed in black bursts ...

In the wake of the Virginia Tech shooting, departments across the country are reviewing their approach to active shooter situations. This has been the first major tweaking of the Move to Contact scenario since they were devised after law enforcement’s Columbine High School experience. After Columbine, most tacticians in the business reassessed the "sit and wait for SWAT" approach and eschewed ...

It is easy to relax and enjoy the sea or a beautiful waterway. The sound of waves crashing. Children digging sand castles or a day of fishing in a clear lake with a cold beer in hand. I’m sure we all have some fond memories involving the water. It is easy to forget that the waterways and shores of our homeland ...

It's instinctive to fear what you can't see. It's the unknown that we fear; where are they, do they have a gun? These are all thoughts that race through your mind as you search for a target in the dark. By the same token, we can feel secured by the darkness. We’re safer if they cannot see us. Over the years ...

Through the past 4 years of conducting active shooter instructor training programs as well as basic operations programs for all law enforcement, we have been privileged to work with some of the most highly motivated and best officers in the world. This is due to the fact the majority have attended the programs with an “open mind” which gives an added ...

Through the history of law enforcement and establishment of Special Weapons and Tactics Units, there have been so many changes in the world of SWAT and how we perform each operation but when all is said and done, one of the most important aspects of the SWAT unit is serious training. Throughout my law enforcement career I have spent many years ...

I need to step back and explain why I’m writing this. I’m not proud to admit I let my pistol skills drop off. The last year or so I’ve been concentrating on my long guns skills. This is just one of my many excuses for not training like I should, as I’m sure many of you have. For many years Law ...

Many firearms instructors cringe over the fact that they need to incorporate movement into their firearms semiannual qualification program. This should not be anything out of the ordinary which they teach on a regular basis even though it is spelled out in “Popow vs. Margate.” Instructors need not forget the basics. First and foremost, they need to understand the concept of ...